UTICA — Gordy Gurson's goal on a penalty shot with just seconds left on the clock broke a tie and earned Utica City FC an 8-7 win at home over the Baltimore Blast Sunday.

Baltimore struck first with a goal from Moises Gonzalez a little under two minutes into the game. Utica got back-to-back goals from Logan Roberts and Cristhian Segura for a 2-1 lead. Lucas Roque of Baltimore tie the game up at 2-2 off a set piece with a little over seven minutes left.

Stefan Mijatovic made an immediate impact in his UCFC debut, scoring for the home side to give Utica the lead 3-2 five minutes into the second quarter. Gonzalez scored again to tie. Utica's Issak Somow grabbed the lead back, then Andrew Coughlin denied a Baltimore player on a penalty shootout with two minutes remaining in the quarter. Baltimore found the back of the net to take the lead before the quarter ends with a strike from Juan Pereira. 

Gurson scored to open the third and pull even at 5-5. In the fourth, Baltimore tied the game at seven all before the eventual winner from Gurson

The final quarter was a close battle with Utica looking to close out the game, Baltimore found themselves down by only one goal in the final quarter of play. Baltimore fought back with little under five minutes left Jonatas Melo found Ricardinho Sobreira to tie the game up at 7. Utica continued to apply the pressure, forcing a penalty in the final seconds of the game. Gordy Gurson stepped up for Utica with a composed penalty, sending the crowd into a fever pitch and wrapping up the game 8-7.

Utica is fifth in the East with a record of 4-7-0.

Sunday, Feb. 5, Utica City FC hits the road to take on the Milwaukee Wave and returns home against Harrisburg on Feb. 11.